OSHA plans new Vegas office to monitor workplace safety

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 | 10:07 a.m.

Feds’ appraisal of Nevada OSHA practices damning (10-21-09)

Download the review of the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health program

Construction Deaths

WASHINGTON -- Federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration officials plan to return to Nevada and ultimately set up an office in the state to monitor Nevada OSHA's efforts to improve its lax oversight of workplace safety following a rash of worker deaths on the Las Vegas Strip, an official testified today at a House hearing.

Federal OSHA's acting director Jordan Barab is requiring that Nevada officials submit a detailed action plan by Nov. 20 after his agency's scathing federal review of the state program released last week found grave problems -- including investigators without adequate training and a management culture that discouraged harsh penalties for companies that violated workplace safety regulations.

The chairman of the House committee on Education and Labor said his committee was not done watching Nevada.

"It is clear that there is something terribly wrong with Nevada's OSHA program," said Democratic Rep. George Miller, chairman of the committee. The committee has held two hearings involving the Las Vegas deaths.

"While Nevada's promises to improve the program are an important first step, they must be monitored by federal officials."

Discussion: 12 comments so far…

By rejco100

10/29/09 at 10:54 a.m.

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Boy, The government thugs will NOT STOP until they have ran out every employer in town!
By onerare1

10/29/09 at 11:08 a.m.

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Uhh! A little late, don't you think?
By wizardofOz

10/29/09 at 11:33 a.m.

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"...including investigators without adequate training and a management culture that discouraged harsh penalties for companies that violated workplace safety regulations...."

It's painfully obvious of the culture of "construction management corruption" at every level in government in Nevada. Painfully obvious.

This just follows the culture of conflict of interest and corruption at every level, up and down the line, in elected government officials in Nevada.

From a Governor who hides his illegal alien nanny in the cellar, to a Las Vegas City Council Member under investigation for ethics, to the Henderson City Council and Mayor(s) knee deep in real estate and developers campaign cash.

Nearly every last elected official is tainted with this tar brush. Unsavory campaign contributions, illegal bribes, look-the-other-way-officials, you name it, Nevada's got it.

The tip-off years ago was when those government building inspectors solicited "donations" for their "worthy cause," and culminated with those horribly moronic inspectors hired to inspect the steel bracing in that high rise building.

Nevada has a building and construction culture that some would characterize as "cesspool growth," with a severly tainted elected government to match.

Apologies from these pathetic goof balls wouldn't begin to cover it. Getting un-elected might, steep fines, resignations and summary firings absolutely would.

Just today our municipal bond rating was dropped by Fitch.

And to think I have to cough up taxes for all of these sorry chumps.
By mred

10/29/09 at 11:34 a.m.

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DO we need employers that fill coffins?
By davidcurtis

10/29/09 at 12:12 p.m.

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if only there were still work places
By rejco100

10/29/09 at 12:57 p.m.

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Are any of these "Dangerous Workplaces" hiring? I don't care about "SAFETY", my family needs to eat!
By info4you2see

10/29/09 at 1:45 p.m.

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How many jobs will this provide to Las Vegas?
By lcdrmandingonamvet

10/29/09 at 2:53 p.m.

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How many criminal & illegal Mexicans have been killed in LVNV construction accidents, just because they couldn't speak or read English? In Colorado, it is the "norm", for these types occuptaional deaths in illegals, are suppressed by the media and politicians, even if the deaths occur on military bases, or other federal properties. Ooopsy! I'm suggesting "foreign nationals" have access to our military weapons and electronic sensors.
By CarsonNewshound

10/29/09 at 3:42 p.m.

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Nevada's government philosophy more clearly reflects the attitudes common in Colombia and Guatemala. We just happen to speak english.
By UncG

10/29/09 at 7:46 p.m.

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Yo "rejco100" there is factory in China or diamond cutting job in Africa with your name on it. Go for it.
By peteralt2

11/4/09 at 9:57 a.m.

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While it is no panacea, beginning January 1, 2010 Section 10 of the new Nevada safety bill requires:

(1) supervisory employees working on a
2 construction site to obtain certification that they have completed a specified 30-
3 hour health and safety course not later than 60 days after commencing work on the
4 construction site; and (2) all other employees working on the construction site to
5 obtain similar certification regarding a specified 10-hour course not later than 60
6 days after commencing work on the construction site.

The OSHA 10 hour and OSHA 30 hour training courses are the most popular training courses offered for safety professionals and provide a good foundation for improving workplace safety. Courses can be taken at local safety training companies or online where all you need is an internet connection to start training. Make sure that the course you are taking online has been "reviewed and acccepted for online distribution" by OSHA. Only a few courses have been approved.

While there are many reasons to criticize our officials, finally a positive step to improve workplace safety has been taken with the requirements for OSHA 10 Hour and OSHA 30 hour safety courses.

Peter Altuch, President
HR Training University
www.hrtraininguniversity.com